Alligator

:This article refers to the large reptile. For information on the place, see Alligator, Mississippi.

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Alligator mississippiensis

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Alligator sinensis

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Alligator is a genus of the Alligatoridae family of crocodile-like reptiles. It includes two known species:

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• American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
• Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis)

Alligators live in freshwater environments such as ponds, marshes, rivers and swamps. Although alligators have heavy bodies and slow metabolisms, they are capable of short bursts of speed that can exceed 30 miles per hour. Alligators' main prey are smaller animals that they can kill and eat with a single bite. Alligators may kill larger prey by grabbing it and dragging it in the water to drown. Food items that can't be eaten in one bite are either allowed to rot or are rendered by biting and then spinning or convulsing wildly until bite size pieces are torn off.

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Alligators are solitary animals and the largest, both males and females, will defend prime territory. Smaller alligators have a higher tolerance of other alligators within a similar size class.

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They are seasonal breeders, mating in spring when the water heats up. The female builds a nest of vegetation that rots to incubate the eggs.

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She will defend the nest from predators and will assist the babies to water once they hatch. She will provide protection to the young for about a year if they remain in the area.

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Alligators are characterized by a broader snout and eyes more dorsally located than their crocodile cousins. Both living species also tend to be darker in color, often nearly black (although the Chinese Alligator has some light patterning.) Also, in alligators only the upper teeth can be seen with the jaws closed (in contrast to crocodiles, in which upper and lower teeth can be seen), though many animals bear jaw deformities which complicate this means of identification.

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The name alligator is the Anglicized form of the Spanish phrase el lagarto (the lizard), as the conquistadors who came to Florida referred to it.

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Genus: :...

Reptiles: REDIRECT Reptile...

Alligator related Images and Photos (experimental)

Alligator Plush Toy	Alligator Reef Lighthouse	Albino Alligator	Alligator Animal Chopsticks
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Happy Birthday from Florida Alligator